Well, (as seen in a few comments in this thread) the idea of the individualist ploughing their own way is strong - and the misreading fits in really well with it. I certainly used to follow this also. So I would get the idea from the poem via pop culture or an idle hearing in an advert, and that would stay with me. I wouldn't read it with the same attention as a literary person of course. Perhaps thats the false dichotomy?

I now have more delight knowing that it is a commentary about how, when dealing with a change, we can look into the future and see ourselves justifying our actions regardless of which action we take.